Read Online Gracie Faltrain Takes Control by Cath Crowley - Free Book Online Page B

afternoon,’ Alyce answers. ‘He’s read my email to the paper explaining what’s happening toGracie and their reply to say that they are very interested in writing a story about it. Seems it’s a topical issue.’
    â€˜Have you heard back from him?’ I ask.
    â€˜That’s what I came to tell you. He called me into his office after the last lesson. He contacted the Board. He says this could convince them to let you on the team. This isn’t the sort of publicity they need or want when the finals, and some of the matches, are being televised and reported in the local papers.’
    â€˜Does that mean I’m in?’
    â€˜I don’t know, Gracie. But I think you should get your mum to make another appointment with him. Get her to bring your dad too, and tell her to take this.’ Alyce hands me another letter. This one’s from the paper to Mum and Dad, explaining that they’re very interested in writing my story.
    â€˜But Mum didn’t write to the paper.’
    â€˜I know that,’ Alyce says, and smiles. ‘But no one else does.’ Like I’ve always said, there’s more to Alyce than meets the eye. A whole lot more.
    As we walk outside Flemming’s smile is bigger than anyone’s. ‘Alyce saves the day,’ he says, kicking the ball hard and chasing after it.
    That’s the first time he’s said her name, so I’m betting that blush on her face goes all the way down to her toes.
    â€˜We should celebrate,’ Martin says. ‘What do you want to do, Faltrain?’
    I look at my watch. Four forty-five. ‘I’d like to buy Alyce a doughnut. I just have to do one small thing on the way.’
    â€˜One small thing, huh?’ Martin says, looking at the crowd of kids standing in the park. ‘There must be fifty people here.’
    I recognise some of the guys from the off-season games. They seem taller, though. I guess guys can grow a lot in a few months.
    â€˜What are they waiting for?’ Flemming asks.
    â€˜I’ll take a lucky guess and say – Faltrain,’ Martin answers. He turns to me. ‘What did you do?’
    â€˜I challenged Woodbury to a kick-off.’
    Martin stares at the crowd. ‘Good plan.’
    â€˜It seemed like it was at the time.’
    â€˜You want some help out there?’ he asks.
    â€˜Nope. This is something I have to do alone.’
    As I move, the crowd closes in like a fist with fifty fingers. ‘Actually,’ I look back at Martin and Flemming and Alyce. ‘Maybe you could just make sure that this is something I do alone.’
    The four of us walk out into the middle of the crowd. This isn’t exactly how I imagined it. ‘Life never is, Faltrain,’ Jane would say. I know she’s right, but just once, I wish that things would turn out as I picture them in my head. And I’d like this to be that one time.
    â€˜See you invited some friends along, Woodbury,’ I say when I reach him.
    â€˜I can’t help it if there are a lot of people who want to see you beaten, Faltrain.’
    â€˜It’s a shame they’re going to be disappointed.’
    â€˜How do you want to do this?’ he asks.
    â€˜We play a twenty-minute game. Just you and me against each other. The one who scores the most wins.’
    â€˜Who are the goalies?’ he asks.
    â€˜You pick yours. I’ll pick mine.’
    â€˜Fair enough,’ he says, walking over to the crowd and talking to a guy at least twice my size. Martin starts moving towards the goal.
    â€˜Good luck, Gracie,’ Alyce says.
    â€˜Thanks. And Alyce, I’m sorry I yelled at you today.’
    She shrugs. ‘We can talk about it later, Gracie. Now, get out there and use your anger in a good way.’ She sounds like one of those videos they make us watch in Personal Development classes and Flemming starts laughing next to her.
    â€˜Good luck, Faltrain,’ he